The Edo State Diaspora Agency stated on Thursday that it is committed to making sure that the potential of Edo people living abroad is used to further the state’s social, cultural, and economic advancement.
At her first news conference in Benin, Edo State, the agency’s director general, Loretta Ogboro-Okor, made this statement and added that the agency is prepared to work in tandem with other sister organizations to combat the threat of human trafficking.
In addition to thanking Governor Monday Okpebholo for creating the agency, Ogboro-Okor stated that the welfare of Edo indigenous people living abroad, enhancing ties, increasing remittances, and promoting growth and development will be the main priorities.
She said, “From our strategic location in Nigeria, where one cannot navigate the North, South, East and West, without going through Edo State, we draw a parallel in today’s world too with our Diaspora population that have also become the anchor and rallying point of not just Nigerians but Africans across the world more so, blazing a trail of democracy and political consciousness as we can see from our political engagements in our gubernatorial and other elections.”
“As Edo State People in the Diaspora, we contribute hugely in remittances to not just our State, but to our country Nigeria, as a whole. We will be economical with the truth if we do not highlight the fact that our sojourns have been fraught with challenges, ranging from but not limited to stigmatisation, racism, marginalization, and stereotypes.”
“We are determined to ensure that the potentials of Edo indigenes in the Diaspora are harnessed to boost the economic, social, and cultural development of the state.”
“However, through it all, we rise and hold onto the central theme of hope together, we explore our possibilities for the future, and we continue to maintain our shared solidarity, pushing our positive narratives of Edo State’s past, present, and future with no limits.”
She further emphasized that in order to optimize Governor Monday Okpebholo’s transformation goal, the agency will collaborate with traditional leaders to guarantee that Diaspora contributions are acknowledged, appreciated, and incorporated into the larger Edo State development agenda.
Governor Monday Okpebholo created the Diaspora Agency to act as a liaison between the diaspora and the domestic government, guaranteeing that the knowledge, assets, and experiences of our international residents are used for the advancement of our state.
